16beta-methyl-9beta-fluoro-steroids



United States Patent 3,485,854 16,8-METHYL-9a-FLUORO-STEROIDS David Taub, Metuchen, Norman L. Wendler, Summit, and Harry L. Slates, Florham Park, N.J., assignors to Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey N 0 Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 831,688, Aug. 5, 1959. This application Apr. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 629,399

Int. Cl. C07c 169/30, 169/34; A61k 27/00 US. Cl. 260397.45 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention disclosed herein is concerned generally with novel 16B-methyl-9u-fiu0ro-steroid compounds and with processes of preparing the same. More particularly, it relates to the novel compound l6fl-methyl-9a-fluoro- 1 1,8,17u,2l-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene 3,20 dione and esters thereof, and to the novel process of preparing these new 16B-methyl-9a-fluoro-steroids starting with 3ocacetoxy-l6-pregnane-1 1,20-dione.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 831,688, filed Aug. 5, 1959, now abandoned, which is a division of application Ser. No. 722,390, filed Mar. 19, 1958, now abandoned.

The new products of our invention may be represented by the following structural formula:

where R is alkyl, R is hydrogen or acyl, R" is hydroxy or oxygen, and X is hydrogen or halogen. The broken line between carbon atoms 1 and 2 indicates that a double bond may be present in this position.

The presently invented 16B-methyl-9u-fiuoro-seteroids possess extremely high anti-inflammatory activity, far greater than that of the parent steroids, and are especially eifective for the treatment of arthritis and related diseases since they can be administered for their cortisone-like action in extremely low dosage thereby minimizing undesired side effects. Substitution of 9a-fiuoro for 9a-hydrogen in previously known steroids such as hydrocortisone and prednisolone, while increasing anti-inflammatory activity, also so increased salt-retention as to make such prior 9a-fiuoro-steroid derivatives unsatisfactory for systemic use. The combination of the 16,8-methyl and 9afluoro substituents, however, produces not only increased anti-inflammatory potency (above that obtained with either substituent alone), but also results in substantial reduction in salt and water retention.

In preparing our novel chemical compounds, the starting material utilized may be a 3-substituted-11-oxygenated-16-pregnene-20-one or 3 substituted-1l-oxygenated- 3,485,854 Patented Dec. 23, 1969 16-allopregnene-20-one which may be identified by the following structural formula:

wherein X is hydrogen or halogen, Y is alpha or beta hydrogen, Z is oxygen, dioxolane, alpha or beta acyloxy or hydroxy, and R" is hydroxy or oxygen as above, with or without a double bond at the 5(6)-position.

In a preferred embodiment of our invention, 3u-acetoxy-16-pregnene-11,20-dione which is represened by the formula:

is utilized as the starting material. However, it is clear to those skilled in the art that other starting materials, such as those described above, may be similarly converted to the desired end products.

It has been found that 3a-acetoxy-16-pregnene-11,20- dione may be cause to react with diazoalkanes, such as diazomethane and diazoethane to form 3a-acetoxy-16u, 17a-alkyleneazopregnane-11,20-dione which has the following structural formula:

wherein R' is hydrogen or alkyl.

Upon heating 3a-acetoxy-16a,l7a-alkyleneazopregnane- 11,20-dione, there is formed primarily 30c acetoxy-16- alkyl-16-pregnene-11,20-dione which may be represented by the following formula:

{1:0 G AcO C wherein R is alkyl as above.

Heating 3a-acetoxy 1611,170: alkyleneazopregnane- 11,20-dione also results in the formation of a small quantity of each of the two corresponding isomeric forms namely, the cyclopropane, 3-acetoxy-16a,l7oc-alkylenepregnane-1l,20-dione, which has the following structural formula:

wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and exocyclic olefin, 3-acetoxy-l6-alkylene-pregnane-11,20-dione, which may be represented by the formula:

m I t l AcO-- where R is hydrogen or alkyl as above.

Treatment of the above isomeric form, namely the 3-acetoxy-16-alkylenepregnane-11,20-dione with an alkali hydroxide yields l6a-alkyl-3a-hydroxy-l6pregnene-l1,20- dione which has the formula:

wherein R is alkyl.

Oxidation of 3m acetoxy-l6-alkyl-16-pregnene-11,20- dione, the major isomer obtained above, with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium hydroxide or peracids such as peroxytrifiuoracetic acid results in the formation of l6fl-alkyl-l6a,l7a-epoxy- 3a-hydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione which has the structural formula:

wherein R is as above.

Upon treatment of 16fi-a1kyl-l6a,17a-epoxy-3a-hydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione with a strong acid such as perchloric acid there is formed an olefin mixture of 16- alkyl-Ba,l7adihydroxy-IS- regnene-11,20-dione and 16- alkylene-3a,l7a-dihydroxy-pregnane 11,20 dione which may be represented as follows:

CH3 CH3 0:0 o j ii 0- 'jcrm' l I I HO--C and lid-C i HO fir1t r l I rid-(1'3 and fro-C wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl and R is alkyl as above.

Upon treatment of 16fl-alkyl-l6a,l7a-epoxy-3a-hydroxy pregnanc-ll,20-dione with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid there is formed 3a-acetoxy-l6-alkylene-l7uhydroxy-pregnane-l1,20-dione, uncontaminated with the 15-pregnene isomer. There is also produced 3cx-21CCIOXY- 16-a1kyl-l5-bromo-16-pregnene-11,20-dione which may be represented by the following formula:

| 0: IR Br AcO-- I wherein R is alkyl. The 3vt-acetoxy-16-alkyl-lS-bromol6-pregnene-ll,20-dione thus produced is an important intermediate in the preparation of other active steroids.

The 3a-acetoxy-16-alkyl-15-bromo-l6-pregnene-l1,20- dione may be reacted with pyridine to form 3a-acetoxy- 16-alky1-14,16-pregnadiene-11,20-dione which has the formula:

on 0- -R l RIO-"C wherein R is alkyl and R is acetyl; the latter compound may be hydrolyzed to the corresponding 3a-Ol which has the above formula wherein R is alkyl and R is H.

Hydrogenation of the mixture of l6-alkyl-3a,l7a lihydroxy-l5-pregnene-l1,20-dione and l6-alkylene-3a,17adihydroxy-pregnane-l1,20-dione with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst such as palladium on calcium carbonate results in the formation of a mixture of 16a-alkyl-3u,17a-dihydroxypregnanel1,20-dione and 16/8-alkyl 3a,17a dihydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione which may be represented as follows:

Ho 3 EDI-Cl wherein R is as above.

Alternatively, hydrogenation of 16fi-alkyl-16a,17aepoxy-3a-hydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione under acidic conditions produces directly above mixture of 16a-alkyl-3a, 17a-dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione and 16B-alkyl-3a,l7adihyroxypregnane-l1,20-dione.

Similarly hydrogenation of the pure 16-alklene-3oz,l7zx dihydroxypregnane-l1,2O-dione resulted in the mixture of 16a-alkyl-3a,17a-dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione and 16/8- alkyl-3 a, l 7a-dihydroxypregnane-1 1,20-dine;

At this stage, the mixture may be separated into its components by chromatography or fractional crystallization or other means. As hereinafter described the mixture can be processed in the same manner as either of the two components.

Bromination of the above epimeric mixture of 16aalkyl-3u,l7a-dihydroxypregnane 11,20-dione and 16B- a1ky1-3a,17a-dihydroxypregnane-1 1,20-dione results in the formation of an epimeric mixture of 16a-alkyl-2l-bromo- 3a,'17a-dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione and -alkyl-21- bromo-3a,l7a-dihydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione which may be represented as follows:

wherein R is as above.

The above epimeric mixture of 16a-alkyl-2'1-bromo- 0 3a,l7a-dihydroxypregnane-l1,20-dione and 16 3-alkyl-21- bromo-3a,17a-dihydroxypregnane-11,20-dione may be reacted with potassium acetate to form an epimeric mixture of 16a-alkyl-3a,-17a,2l-trihydroxypregnane 11,20-dione 21-acetate and 1fifi-alkyla,l7a,2l-trihydroxypregnane- 11,20-dione 21-acetate which may be represented by the following formulae:

(IJHgOAe CHzCAo 0:0 0:0 0 OH :,2l-trihydroxypregnatne-l1,20-dione 21-acetate with an 75 oxidizing agent such as N-bromosuccinimide or chromic acid results in the formation of a mixture of lfia-alkyl- 17a,21-dihydroxypregnane-3,l1,20-trione 21-acetate and 16,8-alkyl 17a,21-d ihydroxypregnane-3,11,20-trione 21- acetate which have the following structure formulae:

CHaOAO GHzOAc wherein R is as above.

The mixture of 16a-alkyl-17a,21-dihydroxypregnane-3, 11,20-trione ZI-acetate and 16,3-alkyl-17a,21-dihydroxypregnane-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate can be separated by chromatographic procedures.

The 16fl-alkyl-17a,2l dihydroxypregnane-3,11,20?trione 21-acetate is reacted with bromine to form 16,8-alkyl- 4-bIOI1'10-17u,2l dihydroxypregnane-3,11,20-trione 21- acetate which has the following structural formula:

omoxe i ---orr wherein R is alkyl.

The 16-,8-alkyl-4-bromo- 17 00,2 l-dihydroxypregnane-S, l 1, 20-trione 21-acetate obtained above is then reacted with a slurry of semicarbazide hydrochloride and sodium bicarbonate to form the 3-semicarbazone of 16 9-alkyl-17a, 21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate which may be represented by the following structural formula:

CH OAC wherein R is as above.

NHzCONI-IN:

wherein R is alkyl as above.

Reduction of the 3,20-disemicarbazone. of l6fl-alky1- 17a,21-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione with sodium boronhydride produces the 3,20-disemicarbazone of 16(3- alkyl-l1B,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione, which has the following formula:

l NHzCONHN= i wherein R is as above.

The 3,20-disernicarbazone of 16B-alkyl-l1/3,l7a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione is reacted with pyruvic acid in aqueous acetic acid to remove the semicarbazone groups at the 3 and 20-positi0ns to form l6fl-alkyl-11B,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione which may be chemically represented as follows:

wherein R is as above. The above compound which may be called 16fi-alkyl hydrocortisone has been found to exhibit marked and effective activity in the treatment of arthritis.

Acetylation of 16,8-alkyl-11fl,17a,2l-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione at the 2l-positi0n is accomplished by reacting this latter compound with acetic anhydride in the presence of pyridine to form l6B-alkyl-11,6,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate which may be represented as follows:

CHzOAc wherein R is as above.

Other 2l-acetylates may be prepared by reacting the 2l-alcohol with the appropriate acyl anhydrides.

By reacting l6B-alkyl-11/3,17a,21-trihydroxy-4 pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate with methanesulfonyl chloride in dimethylformamide there is formed l6fl-alkyl-17a,21- dihydroxy-4,9(l1)-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate of the following structural formula:

CHrOAc wherein R is as above.

Reacting the latter compound with N-bromo-succinimide forms 16,8-alkyl-9a-br0m0-11,6,l7u,21-trihydroxy-4 pregnene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate represented by the formula:

CIIHQOAC o 0 ---011 1r0( l: T

wherein R is as above.

Reacting the latter compound with sodium methoxide produces 16fl-alkyl-9;8,11fl-epoxy-17a,21 dihydroxy 4- pregnene-3,20-dione having the formula:

omen wherein R is as above.

The latter compound is acetylated with acetic anhydride in pyridine and then allowed to react with hydrogen fluoride, to form 16/3-alkyl-9a-fiuoro-ll;9,17a,(21trihy- CHzOAC wherein R is as above. The ZI-acetate can be readily converted to the corresponding 21-01, namely, 16 8-alkyl-9afluoro-l1fi,17u,21-trihydroxy 4 pregnene-3,20-dione by hydrolysis. This latter compound may also be called 165- alkyl-9a-flu-orohydrocortisone and it has been found that this compound is very effective in the treatment of arthritis.

In accordance with this invention, 16fi-alkyl-17a,21- dihydroxy-l1-oxygenated-1,4-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione and 16fi-alkyl-9a-fluoro-170:,21 dihydroxy-ll oxygenated- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and the corresponding 21- acylates can be prepared by reacting respectively 16,13- alkyl-17u,21-dihydroxy-11 oxygenated pregnane-3,20- dione 21-acetate and 16,8-alkyl-9a-fluoro-l7u,2l-dihydroxy-ll-oxygenated pregnane-3,20-dione 21-acetate with bromine to form the corresponding 16,B-alkyl-2,4-dibromo-17a,21-dihydroxy-11 oxygenated-pregnanc-3,20- dione 21-acetate which has the following structural formula:

CHgAC wherein R is as above and X is hydrogen or fluorine and R" is hydroxy or oxygen.

Treatment of these species with dimethyl aniline in dimethylformamide results in the desired 165-alkyl-17a,21- dihydroxy-l1-oxygenated1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21- acetate and 1'6B-alkyl-9a-fiuoro-17u,21-dihydroxy-1l-oxygenated-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate which may be represented graphically as follows:

1,4pregnadiene-3,20-dione represented by the following structural formula:

wherein R and R" are as above.

Alternatively, the 1,4-pregnadiene compounds described above may be prepared from the corresponding 4-pregnene-3-ones by dehydrogenation chemically with selenium dioxide or microbially by means of Bacillus sphaericus.

The following experimental part illustrates in detail some of the compounds which constitute this invention and methods for their production. However, this invention is not to be construed as limited thereby in spirit or in scope since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications in materials and methods may be made without departing from the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 3u-acetoxy-16a,17a-methyleneazopregnane-11,20-dione In a 500 ml. 3-neck flask equipped with condenser, dropping funnel and nitrogen inlet were placed 20 g. of potassium hydroxide in ml. of water, ml. of methanol and 100 ml. of ether. A solution of 10 g. of N-methyl- N-nitrosotosylamide in 50 ml. of ether was placed in the dropping funnel.

Diazomethane was generated by warming the generation flask to 40-45 C. and cautiously adding the N- methyl-N-nitrosotosylamide-ether from the dropping funnel. Nitrogen was utilized to sweep the diazomethane into a solution of 20 g. of 3a-acetoxy-16-pregnene-l1,20-dione in 100 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and ml. ether. The

' process was continued until the steroid solution re- Analysis calculated for C H O N C, 69.55; H, 8.27. Found: C, 69.37; H, 8.01.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Ila-acetoxy 16 methyl 16 pregnene- 11,20-dione; Bot-acetoxy 1601,1704 methyleneprenane- 11,20-dione; 3oz acetoxy 16 methylenepregnane- 11,20-dione and 3a-hydroxy-16-methy1 16 pregnene- 11,20-dione 37.4 g. of 3u-acetoxy-l6a,l7a methyleneazopregnane- 11,20-dione was placed in a 500 ml. round-bottom flask and heated by an oil bath in vacuo (pressure 0.6 mm.). A manometer and 12-liter surge flask were in the line between the reaction flask and pump trap. When the bath temperature reached C. the 3a-acetoxy-16u,17amethylene-azo-pregnane-l1,20-dione began to melt with evolution of nitrogen. The maximum pressure reached 11 was 83 mm. After minutes at l80182 C. the melt was cooled. It had on OH 111a E% 191 and was taken up in about 150 ml. of acetone, filtered through diatomaceous earth, concentrated to about 100 ml. and ether slowly added to the boiling solution until crystallization occurred. These crystals of 3a-acetoxy- 16-methyl-16-pregnene 11,20 dione weighed 19.0 g., M.P. l65-168 C.;

xgfi 249 E% 234; 2nd crop 5.3 g., M.P; 160-164 C.,

cl-r3011 249 E% 211; 3rd crop 5.0 g., M.P. 142-153 C.

xgi g 249 13% 156. Total yield of material with E% 210 was 70%. The analytical sample had M.P. 165-167 C.

igg 249, 12% 240; x319 EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 16a,17a-epoxy-3u-hydroxy 16,8 methylpregnane-11,20-dione A solution of 20.0 g. of 3a-acetoxy-16-methyl-16- pregnene-11,20-dione dissolved in 600 ml. of methanol, was cooled to 18 C., and 80 ml. of 30% hydrogen peroxide followed by 80 ml. of 2.5 N sodium hydroxide were added. Considerable material precipitated from solution, but all redissolved on stirring the reaction mixture at 25 -30 C. for 40 minutes. The solution was kept at -20 C. for 18 hours at which time the ultra-violet maximum at 249 had completely disappeared. Then 600 ml. of saturated salt water Was slowly added, the crystalline precipitate was filtered, washed with water, and dried in air and in vacuum. The 16a,17a epoxy 3ahydroxy-16 8-methylpregnane 11,20 dione thus formed weighed 17.36 g. (93%); M.P. 176-177 C., hexagonal prisms M.P. 178-l80 C. from acetone-ether Analysis calculated for C H O C, 73.30; H, 8.95. Found: C, 73.23; H, 9.12.

Room temperature acetylation gave the Biz-acetoxy- 16a,17a-epoxy 165 methylpregnane 11,20 dione having a melting point of l62-164 C.

Analysis calculated for C H O C, 71.65; H, 8.51. Found: C, 71.65; H, 8.25.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of an olefin mixture of 3u,17u-dihydroxy- 16-methyl-15-pregnene 11,20 dione and 3u,17a-dihydroxyl 6-methylenepregnane-l 1,20-dione To a solution of 2.69 g. of 16oz,l7ot-6POXY-3a-hYdl0XY- IGB-methyl-pregnane-l1,20-dione in 55 ml. dioxane was added 27 ml. of 2 M aqueous perchloric acid. The clear solution was kept at -30 C. for 65 hours. Cold water,

(175 ml.) was added, the slurry chilled to 8 C. and filtered after 30 minutes. The precipitate, containing a mixture of 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16-methyl 15 pregnene- 11,20-dione and 3a-l7u-dihydroxy-16-methylene-pregnane was washed with water, and dried in air and finally at 50 C. in vacuum. Yield: 2.27 g. (94.5%), M.P. sintering at about 150 C. melting at 158-l67 C. The relative proportion of 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16-methyl-15 pregnene- 11,20-dione and 3a,17a-dihydroxy16-methylenepregnane- 11,20-dione is estimated to be of the order of 1:1.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 311,115-dihydroxy-16-methyl 15 etiocholene-17-one and 3a,11;3-dihydroxy 16 methyleneetiocholane-17-one Treatment of the mixture of 3a,l7oc-dihydrOXy 16- methyl-lS-pregnene-l1,20-dione and 311,170; dihydroxyl6-methylene-pregnane 11,20 dione successively with lithium aluminum hydride and sodium periodate gave a crystalline mixture (M.P. 166-l7l C.) of endocyclic 311,1lfl-dihydroxy-16-methyl-15-etiocholene-17 one and exocyclic 312,1lfi-dihydroxy-16methylene etioch0lane-17- one C-17 ketones with igg 232.5, 13% 200; A531? 2.75, 2.8-2.9, 5.80, 5.87, 6.07, 6.21;. The conjugate C=O peaks at 5.80 and 5.87 Were of equal intensity indicating the proportions to be 1:1.

Pure 312,1lp-dihydroxy-l6-methylene-etiocholane 17- one (M.P.

iggg 227, 19% 270; xgg f 2.75, 2.82-2.92, 5.79, 6.07) was prepared similarly from pure 3a-acetoxy-l6-methylene 17oz hydroxy-pregnanel1,20-dione obtained by hydrogen bromide opening of the oxide, 3wacetoxy 1612,1711 epoxy 16 3 methylpregnane-ll,20-dione (see Example 6).

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of 3a acetoxy 17oz hydroxy 16 methylene pregnane 11,20 dione and 3a acetoxy- 15 bromo 16 methyl 16 pregnene 11,20- dione To a stirred solution of 5.05 g. of 30: acetoxy 16a, 17a. epoxy 16/3 methyl pregnane 11,20 dione in 75 ml. of acetic acid maintained at 10-15 C. was added 25 ml. of cold 15% hydrogen bromide in acetic acid. After 35 minutes at 10-15 C. the mixture was concentrated to dryness in vacuo (temperature 15 C.) and the residue chromatographed on 200 g. of neutral alumina. From the 60:40 petroleum ether-benzene eluates there was obtained 2.10 g. of 30a acetoxy 15 bromo- 16 methyl 16 pregnene 11,20 dione; rectangular prisms from ether-acetone M.P. -l35 C. dec.

Analysis calculated for: C H .,O C, 71.61; H, 8.5!. Found: C, 71.51; H, 8.07.

13 EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of 3a-acetoxy-l6-methyl-14,16-pregnadiene- 11,20-dione 42 mg. of 30: acetoxy 15 bromo 16 methyl- 16 pregnene 11,20 dione was dissolved in 2 ml. of pyridine. After 18 hours at 25 C. the mixture was concentrated to dryness in vacuo. The solid residue of 3aacetoxy 16 methyl 14,16 pregnadiene 11,20- dione was crystallized from ether; prismatic needles M.P. 180185 C.;

CHaOH IBEX.

304 Ell 1.. E=1l,000.

EXAMPLE 8 A solution of 3.05 g. (8.47 millimol) of the olefin mixture of 3a,17a dihydroxy 16 methyl 15 pregnene 11,20 dione and 3a,17a dihydroxy 16 methylene pregnane 11,20 dione in 80 ml. of methanol was reduced in hydrogen at 1 atmosphere and 25 C. in the presence of 2.0 g. of 25% palladium-calcium carbonate catalyst. Modification of the hydrogenation conditions, pH, solvent, catalyst, etc. alters the isomer ratio significantly. Uptake of the calculated amount of hydro gen was complete in 45 minutes. The mixture was stirred an additional 30 minutes and filtered through diatomaceous earth. The colorless filtrate was taken to dryness and crystallized from ether: a mixture of 304,170: dihydroxy 16a methylpregnane 11,20 dione and 3u,l7u dihydroxy 16,8 methylpregnane 11,20 dione was obtained and weighed 3.05 g., sintering at 150 C. melting at 166182 C.

2.79, 2.95, 5.87 The product consists of 3a,17a dihydroxy 1600 methylpregnane 11,20 dione and 3oz,17a dihydroxy 16p methylpregnane 11,20 dione in the ratio ca. 7:3 as determined by the amounts of end product isolated below.

EXAMPLE 9 Alternate preparation of 304,17 dihydroxy 16oz methylpregnane 11,20 dione and 304,170; dihydroxy- 16,8-methylpregnane-11,20-dine A solution of 10.0 g. of 160:,170: epoxy 30c hydroxy- 16B methylpregnane 11,20 dione in 180 ml. of dioxane and 112 ml. of 2 M aqueous perchloric acid was prepared. The solution was hydrogenated at 25 C. and 1 atmosphere pressure in the presence of 4.4 g. of palladium on charcoal catalyst. Uptake of one mole 'of hydrogen was complete in 10 hours. The catalyst was removed by filtration and 300 ml. of 70% saturated sodium chloride was added to the filtrate. After being kept at 0 'C. for 30 minutes, the precipitated mixture of 304,170 dihydroxy 16a methylpregnane 11,20- dione and 3u,17a dihydroxy 16/3 methylpregnane- 11,20 dione was filtered, washed with water and dried in air. Yield: 9.26 g. Solubility analysis in benzene indicated the product to be 75% 3a,17a dihydroxy-16amethylpregnane 11,20 dione and 25% 301,17u dihydroxy 16B methylpregnane 11,20 dione.

EXAMPLE 10 Separation of 30:,1700 dihydroxy 16a methylpregnane- 11,20 dione and 3u,17u dihydroxy 16B methylpregnane-l 1,20-dione 'One gram 'of the above hydrogenation product, 3a,17adihydroxy 16a methylpregnane 11,20 dione and 304,170; dihydroxy 16/3 methylpregnane 11,20-dione, was chromatographed on 100 g. of activated magnesium silicate. The 100% chloroform eluates gave 311,170: dihydroxy 16a methylpregnane 11,20 dione, M.P. 188-19l C. identical with authentic material by mixed melting point and infrared spectral comparisons. The

5% methanol-chloroform eluates gave 30,17a dihydroxy 16 3 methylpregnane 11,20 dione hexagonal plates from benzene-ethylacetate M.P. 192197 C.;

ANuiol Analysis calculated for C H O C, 72.89; H, 9.45. Found: C, 72.97; H, 9.25.

The 16a methyl and 16B methylpregnanes respectively, had R values of 0.55 and 0.35 when chromatographed on Whatman #1 filter paper in the benzeneformamide system.

As described hereinafter, 3u,17u dihydroxy 16,3- methylpregnane 11,20 dione was brominated at position 21 in exactly the same way as the mixture of 16a and methyl compounds to give 21 bromo 30:,17udihydroxy 16B methylpregnane 11,20 dione. This latter compound was similarly converted to 30: :,21- trihydroxy 16/8 methylpregnane 11,20 dione 21- acetate. This compound was then similarly oxidized at position 3 to give 17oc,21 dihydroxy 16p methyl- 3,11,20 trione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of a mixture of 3a-acetoxy-l7a-hydroxy-16amethyl-pregnane 11,20 dione and 3oc-*3.C6t0Xy-170chydroxy- 1 6fi-methylpregnane-1 1,20-dione To a mixture of 3a,17a-dihydroxy-16a-methylpregnane- 11,20-dione and 3a,17a dihydnoxy-1fip-methylpregnane- 11,20-dione dissolved in pyridine was added acetic anhydride at 20 C. A mixture of 3a-acetoxy-l7a-hydroxy- 16a methyl-pregnane11,20-dione and 3u-acetoxy-17ahydroxy-l6/3-methylpregnane-11,20-dione separated from solution and was recovered. These prisms sintered at 170 C. and melted at 179 C.

EXAMPLE 12 Preparation of a mixture of 21-bromo-3a,l7ot-dihydroxy- 16ot-methylpregnane-11,20-dione and 2l-bI0mO-3oz,17ocdihydroxy-16fl-methylpregnane-1 1,20-dione A solution of 3.50 g. (9.7 millimol) of a mixture of 3a,17 x dihydroxy-16a-methylpregnane-11,20-dione and 312,170: dihydroxy 16 8 methylpregnane-l1,20-dione obtained as above in 40 ml. of chloroform was warmed to 40-45 C. A solution of 1.76 g. (11 millimol) of bromine in 25 ml. of chloroform was added dropwise to the stirred solution such that the color was not darker than pale yellow (ca. 2 drops/see, total ti-me 1 hour). The nearly colorless solution was cooled to 20 C. and 200 ml. of ether was added. The mixture was extracted with excess cold 5% potassium bicarbonate solution, sodium bisulfite solution, and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The colorless residue after removal of solvent, a mixture of 2lbromo-3a,17a-dihydroxy-16rx-methylpregnane-11,20-dione and 21bromo-3c ne-dihydroxy- 16fi-methylpregnane-11-20-dione (4.30 g.) gave a positive tetrazolium test. Paper chromatography (benzeneformamide) resolved the material into 2 spots.

EXAMPLE 13 Preparation of a mixture of 3a,17m-21-trihydroxy-16amethylpregnane-l1,20-dione 21-acetate and 3a,17u,21- trihydroxy-16fi-methylpregnaue-11,20-dione ZI-acetate To 4.30 g. of 21-bromo-3a,Hot-dihydroxy-1,6u-methylpregnane-11,20-dione and 21-bromo-3a,17a-dihydroxy- 16 3-methylpregnane-1l-20-dione in 90 ml. of acetone and 0.10 ml. of acetic acid were added 4.83 g. of anhydrous potassium acetate and 3.85 g. of potassium iodide. The stirred mixture was refluxed for 18 hours and concentrated on the water pump to a small volume. Water was added, the product extracted into ethyl acetate, and the organic extract dried over magnesium sulfate. The product (4.25 g.) was a colorless foam that partly crystallized from acetone-ether to give ca. 30% dense cubes sintering at about 150 C., and melting at 200-213 C., which paper chromatography showed was mainly 3a,17u,2l-trihydroxy-l6/3methylpregnane-11,20-dione 2l-acetate contaminated with some 3a,17m,21-trihydroxyl6a-methylpregnane-l1,20-dione 21-acetate. The I.R. spectrum of this material was similar to that of authentic 3ot,17oz,21- trihydroxy-l6rx-methylpregnane-11,20-dione 21-acetate in the functional group region but differed significantly in the fingerprint region. Seeding the mother liquors with anthentic 3a,17a,21 trihydroxy 16cc methylpregnane- 11,20-dione 21-acetate induced crystallization of crude 3a,17a,21-trihydroxy 16oz methylpregnane-l1,20-dione 21-acetate which was purified by repeated crystallization from acetone-ether and shown to be identical with an authentic sample by mixed M.P., LR. and paper chromatographic comparisons.

EXAMPLE 14 Preparation of 17a,2141ihydroxy-16m-methylpregnane- 3,11,20-trione 21-acetate and 17a,21-dihydroxy-16fimethylpregnane-3,l1,20-trione 21-acetate To the mixture obtained as above of 3a,17u,21-trihydroxy-l6a-methy1pregnane-11,20-dione 21-acetate and 3a,17a,21-trihydroxy 16,3 methylpregnane-l1-20-dione 21-acetate, 4.0 g., in 100 ml. t-butanol and ml. of water cooled to 10-15 C., was added 3.5 g. N-bromosuocinimide. The suspension was stirred at 15 C. until all the N-bromosuccinimide had dissolved (90 minutes). The reaction mixture was kept at 2 C. for about sixteen hours and at C. for 2 hours. Sodium sulfite solution was added to destroy bromine and the mixture concentrated on the water pump to a low volume. A granular precipitate had formed; water was added, the precipitate filtered and washed with water; 3.30 g., sintering at about 170 C. melting at about 202 212 C. Extraction of the filtrate with ethyl acetate gave .350 g., M.P. 130-170 C. Since both samples were mixtures by paper chromatography, they were recombined for alumina chromatography. Trituration with 100 ml. hot benzene gave 540 mg. of material M.P. 225 -235 C. Chromatography of the remainder on neutral alumina (85 g., 100 ml. fractions) gave 1.324 g. of 17a,21-dihyd1'oxy-16a-methylpregnane-3,l1,20-trione 21-acetate, M.P. 230 C. from fractions 5-15; 5% CHCl 70% C H Fractions 17-21 (50% CHCl -50% C H to 100% CHCl contained 0.850 g. 17a,21-dihydr0xy-16fi-methylpregnane- 3,11,20-trione 21-acetate, M.P. 2l0-213 C. The yield was about 2.0 g. [1.87 g.+ca. .10-.20 g. in mixed fraction 16]. The ratio of 17a,21-dihydroxy-16a-methylpregnane-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate to 17a,21-dihydroxy- 16,8-methylpregnar1e-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate,

is probably close to the ratio of ,17a-dihydroxy-16amethylpregnane-l1,20-dione produced in the hydrogenation.

Pure 1751,21 dihydroxy-16,8-methylpregnane-3,11,20- trione 21-acetate had the following properties: M.P. 210-2l2 C.

tench 2.92, 5.76, 5.81, 5.57: a] +130 (0:.950)

Analysis calculated for C H O C, 68.88; H, 8.19. Found: C, 68.81; H, 7.91.

EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of 4-bron1o-17a-21-dihydroxy-16fimethylpregnane-3 ,1 1,20-trione ZI-acetate form. The chloroform extract was washed with dilute potassium bicarbonate, water and dried over sodium sulfate. The residue was triturated with ether to give 480 mg. of crystalline 4-bromo-17u,21-dihydr0xy-16fi-methylpregnane-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate M.P. l-170 C. dec.

Analysis calculated for: C H O Br: Br, 16.08. Found: Br, 15.58.

A second crop of 133 mg. of 4-bromo-l7a,21-dihydroxy-16B-methylpregnane-3,11,20-tri0ne 2l-acetate was also obtained.

EXAMPLE 16 Preparation of the B-semicarbazone of 17a,21-dihydroxy- 16B-methyl-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate To 583 mg. of 4-bromo-17a,21-dihydroxy-16Bmcthylpregnane-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate in 20 ml. of acetonitrile under nitrogen was added a slurry of 600 mg. of semicarbazide hydrochloride and 410 mg. sodium bicarbonate in 4 ml. of water. After 2 hours, the acetonitrile was removed in vacuo, water added and 540 mg. of crystalline 3-semicarbazone of 17a,21-dihydroxy-16fimethly 4 pregnene 3,11,20 trione Zl-acetate filtered, washed with water and dried.

EXAMPLE 17 Preparation of l7a,21-dihydroxy-l6 8-methyl-4-pregnene- 3,11,20-trione 21-acetate 540 mg. of the semicarbazone of 17a,21-dihydroxy-16[3- methyl-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate was dissolved in 20 ml. of acetic acid, 1.5 ml. of pyruvic acid and 5 ml. of water. After 18 hours at 25 C., water was added and the mixture extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract was washed with aqueous potassium bicarbonate, water and dried over sodium sulfate. Removal of solvent gave crude l7a,2l-dihydroxy-l65-methyl-4-pregnene-3,l I, 20-trione 2l-acetate which was purified by chromatography on neutral alumina and crystallization from acetone-ether (hexagonal plates). The pure material had M.P. 226-232 C.

xgggP 238 mp. E=15,600; x2515 2.85-2.98 5.73, 5.79,

5.85, 5.00, 6.18 [a1g +252 (o=.640

Analysis calculated for C H O C, 69.21; H, 7.75. Found: C, 69.24; H, 7.58.

EXAMPLE 18 Preparation of the 3,20-disemicarbazone of 17a,2l-dihydroxy-l6;8-methyl-4-pregnene-3,1 1,20-trione 21-acetate To a stirred solution of 500 mg. of 17u,21dihydroxy- 16-Bmethyl-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 17) in 12.5 ml. of methanol and 3 ml. of dimethylformamide kept under nitrogen was added a slurry of 680 mg. of semicarbazide hydrochloride and 370 mg. of sodium bicarbonate in 1 ml. of water. The stirred mixture was refluxed 3 hours and maintained at 45 C. for 17 hours. It was then cooled to 20 C. and 50 ml. of 50% saturated aqueous sodium chloride was added. After 2 hours at 0 C. the precipitate of the 3,20- disernicarbazidone of 1704,21 dihydroxy 16B-methyl-4- pregnene-3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate was filtered, washed with water until free of chloride ion and dried in air. Yield over EXAMPLE 19 Preparation of the 3,20-disemicarbazone of l1fi,17u,2ltrihydroxy-l6/i-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione To a stirred solution of 600 mg. of the 3,20-disemicarbazidone of 17u,2l-dihydroxy-l6fl-methyL4-pregnene-3, 11,20-trione 21-acetate in 30 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 11 ml. of water under nitrogen was added 200 mg. powdered sodium borohydride. The stirred suspension was refluxed 45 minutes and then cooled to 15 C. Aqueous acetic acid (3 ml. of 30%) was added cautiously and most of the tetrahydrofuran was removed in vacuum. Addition of ml. of methanol and 5 ml. of water induced the product to crystallize. Following addition of ml. of a saturated sodium chloride solution and aging at 0 C. the product 3,20-disemicarbazone of 11B,17a,21trihydroxy-l6fl-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20 dione was filtered, washed with water, and dried in air.

EXAMPLE 20 Preparation of l 1,8, 1 711,2 l-trihydroxyl 6fi-rnethyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione To a solution of 510 mg. of reduced 3,20-disemicarbazone of 1lfi,17a,2l-trihydroxy-16fi-methyl-4-pregnene- 3,20-dione in 5 ml. of acetic acid was added 1.20 ml. of water and 0.50 ml. of pyruvic acid. The solution was kept at 25 C. for eighteen hours. Water (20 ml.) was added, and the mixture was extracted thoroughly with chloroform. The chloroform extract was dried over magnesium sulfate and taken to dryness. The residue was crystallized from acetone-ether to give pure l1,B,17a,21-trihydroxy-16B-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 21 Preparation of 11/3,17a,2 l-trihydroxy-16fi-methyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate The product of the previous Example 20 was acetylated at C-21 as follows: A solution of 100 mg. of llfi,l7a,2ltrihydroxy16,8-methyl-4-pregnene-3,ZO-dione in 1.0 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride was prepared. After 18 hours at 25 C., the solution was taken to dryness in vacuo and the solid residue purified by crystallization in acetone-ether to give 11fi,l7a,21-trihydroxy- 16 8-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate.

EXAMPLE 22 Preparation of 17a,21-dihydroxy-16/3-methyl-4,9(1 l pregnadiene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate A solution of 400 mg. of 1113,17a,21-trihydroxy-l6/8- methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 2.0 ml. dimethyl formamide, 0.8 ml. of pyridine and 0.4 ml. of methanesulfonyl chloride was kept at 75 C. for one hour. The mixture was cooled, water added, and the precipitate filtered, washed with water and dried in air. The desired 17a,2 l-dihydroxy-16fi-methyl-4,9(11)-pregnadiene 3,20- dione 21-acetate was purified by chromatography on alu mina (20. g.) and elution of the column with benzene. Crystallization of material eluted by benzene gave pure 17a,21-dihydroxy-16/8-methyl-4,9 1 l pregnadiene 3,20- dione 2l-acetate.

EXAMPLE 23 Preparation of a-bromo-l lfl,17a,2l-trihydroxy-16B- methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate EXAMPLE 24 Preparation of 95,1lfi-epoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-16pmethyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate To a stirred solution of 100 mg. of the 9a-bromo-11fl, 17ot,21trihydroxy-l65-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2lacetate in 3 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 1 ml. of methanol under nitrogen was added 1.02 ml. of 0.215 N methanolic 18 sodium methoxide. After 10 minutes at 25 C. 0.2 ml. of acetic acid was added and the methanol removed in vacuo. The residue was acetylated with 1.00 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 m1. of acetic anhydride at 60 C. for 70 minutes. The mixture was taken to dryness in vacuo, water added, and the product extracted into chloroform. The residue was crystallized from ether-acetone to give pure 9,8,11fl-epoxy- 1711,2l-dihydroxy-l613-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21- acetate.

EXAMPLE 25 Preparation of 9ot-fluoro-11B,17u,21-trihydroxy-16;3- methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate To a solution of 200 mg. of 9B,11fi-expoxy-17a,2l-dihydroxy-16fl-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 2 ml. of chloroform and 2 ml. of tetrahydrofuran in a polyethylene bottle at -60 C. was added 2 ml. of a 2:1 (by weight) mixture of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and tetrahydrofuran. After 4 hours at 10 C. the mixture was cooled to --60 C. and cautiously added to a stirred mixture of 30 ml. of 25% aqueous potassium carbonate and 25 ml. of chloroform kept at -5 C. The aqueous phase was further extracted with chloroform and the latter phase washed with water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The residue on crystallization from acetone-ether gave pure 9et-fluoro-11,8,17a,21-trihydroxy-16B-methyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 26 Preparation of 9ot-fluoro-11,8,17a,21-trihydroxy-16B- methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione To a stirred solution of 110 mg. of 9a-fluoro-11fi,17u, 21 trihydroxy-l6fi-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 5 ml. of methanol under nitrogen at 25 C. was added 1.00 ml. of 0.26 M methanolic sodium methoxide. After 15 minutes 0.2 ml. of acetic acid in 1 m1. of water was added and the mixture concentrated nearly to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from ethyl acetate gave pure 9ot-fluoro- 1 113,17a,21-trihydroxy-l6B-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione.

EXAMPLE 27 Preparation of 9ut-chloro-11 8,l7a,2l-trihydroxy-16B- methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate To a solution of mg. of 95,1lB-epoxy-l7a,2l-dihydroxy-l6 8-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in 4 ml. of chloroform was added 5 ml. of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The two-phase mixture was stirred at 25 C. for 1 hour. Addition of water and chloroform extraction gave a crude crystalline product which is partly deacetylated. Treatment with 1 ml. of pyridine and 0.5 ml. of acetic anhydride at 25 C. for 18 hours followed by concentration in vacuo and crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether afforded pure 9a-chloro-11fl,17a, 2l-trihydroxy-16 3-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 28 Preparation of 2,4-dibromo-17a,21-dihydroxy-16B-methylpregnane-3,11,20-trione 2l-acetate To a stirred solution of 682 mg. of 17a,21-dihydroxy- 16fl-methylpregnane-3,l1,20-trione 21-acetate (prepared as described in Example 17) in 20 ml. of chloroform and 2.25 ml. of acetic acid maintained at 20 C. was added dropwise one-half of a solution of 540 mg. of bromine in 2 ml. of chloroform and 3 ml. of acetic acid. The mixture was warmed to 0 C. and the remainder of the bromine added. Sodium acetate (0.4 g.) in 2 ml. of water was added followed by 20 mg. of sodium sulfite. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo to remove the chloroform and 20 ml. of water was added. The white powdery precipitate of 2,4-dibromo-17ot,21-dihydroxy-16fi-methylpregnane-3,

11,20-trione 21-acetate was filtered, washed with water and dried in air. Yield: 920 mg. M.P. 122-130 C. dec.

EXAMPLE 29 Preparation of 17a,2l-dihyd1'oxy-16fi-methyl-L4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione 21-acetate xfffjgP 238111,. (E=15,300); gg e Analysis calculated for C H O C, 69.55; H, 7.30. Found: C, 69.25; H, 7.25.

EXAMPLE 30 Preparation of 17a,2l-dihydroxy-16fl-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20-trione This compound was obtained by treatment of 1.0 g. of 17x,21 dihydroxy l6fl-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,11,20- trione ZI-acetate in 30 ml. of methanol with 1 g. of potassium bicarbonate in 10 ml. of water under nitrogen at refiux temperature for 7 minutes. The mixture was cooled, neutralized with 1 ml. of acetic acid in 10 ml. of water, the methanol removed in vacuo and the product extracted into ethyl acetate. Removal of the ethyl acetate gave crystals (900 mg.) M.P. 195-200 of the desired 17a,21-dihydroxyl 6p-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,1 1,20-trione.

EXAMPLE 31 Preparation of 11 18,17a,21-trihydroxy-16fl-methyl-1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate To 100 mg. of 11B,17a,21-trihydroxy-16fi-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione 21-acetate in ml. of t-butanol and 0.1 ml. of acetic acid was added 50 mg. of selenium dioxide. The mixture was refluxed under nitrogen 18 hours, 50 mg. of selenium dioxide was added and the mixture refluxed an additional 24 hours. The mixture was filtered, and the filtrate taken to dryness. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed successively with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, ammonium sulfide, dilute ammonia water, water, dilute hydrochloric acid and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. It was then treated with activated charcoal and concentrated to dryness. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-ether gave pure 11,8,17a,21-trihydr0xy-16B-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate.

20 EXAMPLE 32 Alternatively, the 1,2-dehydrogenation of 1l,8,l7a-2l trihydroxy l6B-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate can be carried out microbiologically by means of Bacillus sphaericus to yield 11 S,17a,2l-trihydroxy-16fl-methyl-1,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione, which on acetylation with acetic anhydride-pyridine gives 1lB,17a,21-trihydroxy-16B-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 2l-acetate.

EXAMPLE 33 Preparation of 9wfiuoro-l1,8,17a,2l-trihydroxy-16B- methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione ZI-acetate In a similar manner, mg. of 9a-fil101O-1lfi,17oc,2l trihydroxy methyl-4-pregnene-3,2-dione 21-acetate was treated with selenium dioxide to produce the corresponding 9a fiuoro 11 3,17a-2l-trihydroxy-16;9methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-acetate. Alternately, Bacillus sphaericus may be utilized. The 21-alcohol was prepared from the ZI-acetate as in Example 26 or Example 30.

Various changes and modifications may be made in the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of which are herein disclosed, without departing from the scope therof.

We claim:

1. A compound of the formula:

CHzOR (1:6

AVE

wherein W is selected from the group consisting of keto and fl-hydroxy; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkanoyl.

2. A compound, as defined in claim 1, having the chemical name 166 methyl-9a-fluoro-11,8,17a-21-trihydroxy- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione 21-lower alkanoate.

3. A compound, as defined in claim 1, having the chemical name 90: fiuoro-l1B,17a-2l-trihydroxy-16 3-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

4. A compound, as defined in claim 1, having the chemical name 941 fiuoro-l 119,176t,21-trihydroxy-16fi-methyll,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione Zl-acetate.

No references cited.

ELBERT L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

